New Brighton days: the Merseyside seaside that generations of fans grew up with

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New Brighton began as a Liverpool merchant's idea. Two New Brighton clubs played in the Football League, both at a ground built beside a tower taller than Blackpool's, and Liverpool crossed paths with each.

Work on New Brighton Tower began in 1896, and the steel lattice tower was formally opened in June 1898, standing taller than its rival at Blackpool.It had a short life. Club League years Division Home ground League exit New Brighton Tower 1898–1901 Second Division Tower Athletic Ground Wound up in 1901; replaced by Doncaster Rovers New Brighton 1923–1951 Third Division North Sandheys Park, then the Tower Athletic Ground from 1946 Voted out in 1951; replaced by Workington New Brighton Tower, the Towerites, were no makeweights.

The Rakers, as New Brighton were known, grew out of another Liverpool name: the club was formed in 1921 from the ashes of the bankrupt South Liverpool. The New Brighton ferry, the pier and the tower have gone, and both League grounds were given over to housing.